(19)

(11)

EP 1 226 043 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 31.07.2002 Bulletin 2002/31 (21) Application number: 99956584.9 (22) Date of filing: 18.10.1999

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: B60C 15/04 (86) International application number: PCT/US9924/283 (87) International publication number: WO 0128/788 (26.04.2001 Gazette 2001/17)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (71) Applicant: THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY Akron,Ohio 44316-0001 (US)	(72) Inventor: VAN HOOSE, John, See Medina, OH 44256 (US) (74) Representative: Leitz, Paul  Goodyear Technical Center,Patent Department,Avenue Gordon Smith 7750 Colmar-Berg 7750 Colmar-Berg (LU)